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MASTER HARRY HENDERSHOT, 



TilE B1=^J^■V-E 



DRUMMER BOY 



OF THE RAFPAHAJVjYOCK I 



A Drama in 4 Acts, 



Written and Dramatized by Miss Dell Hendershot, of Jackson, Mich, 



the OfIk'(> of th. 



FRANK LEWIS, Harry's Brother-inLaw, a Blacksmith. 

MASTER HARRY HEiNDERSHOT, The Drummer Boy. 

AVI L LIE HENDERSON, Drummer. 

FRANK SHEPARD, Drummer. 

I'O.M SMrrH, Drummer. 

MRS. HENDERSHOT, A Womdn of Trouble. 

MRS. HENDERSON, A Woman of Sorrow. 

MISS ANNA HENDERSHOT, A Girl of Common Sense. 



Stage Directio.\. — R. means Right of Stage, facing the Audience; 
L. Left ; C. Centre; R. C. Right of Centre; L C. Left of Centre; D, 
F. Door in the Fiat, or Scene running across the back of the Stage. 



MASTER HARRY HENDERSHOT, 

DRUMMER BOY 



OF THE RAPFAHAMMOCK ! 



ACT I. 



SCENE I. — Mrs. H. and her daughter sitting by table — Mrs. H. 
and her daimhter reading. 



sewing 



Mrs. H. — I "I'onder what is keeping Harry so late ? He usually gets 
his papers sold at 8, and it is now lo. 

Anna, (Looking up from book.) — Perhaps he has more papers to-night 
to sell than usual. 

Mrs H. — I will sit up and wait for him, as I have to get this work 
done by the morrow. Oh, dear ! how awful it is to be poor. 

Anna. — Yes, mother, we are poor, but not so poor but what we can 
help those that are in more neeil than we are, and we ought to be thank- 
ful to him who has helped us to get aid and get work. 

Mrs. H.- -Yes, Anna, I am thankful, and I trust we may always get 
work to help ourselves with. . 

Anna. — When I get me a place to work, and with Harry's help and 
mine, we can take care of you very nicely. 



Mrs. H. — Yes, Anna, and may God bless you both tor this. 

Drum Beat. 

Mrs. H. — Oh, there goes them drummers again. I wonder if Harry 
is not with them. 

Anna. — I will look and see. (Goes to window, but sees no Harry.) 
I know, mother, he is not with them, nor do I see him coming. (Shuts 
door and lakes seat again. 

Drums beat again. 

Mrs. H. — Mercy ! what if there should come war, and those boys 
that are drumming out there should have to go ? 

Anna. — Yes, mother, we ought to be glad that Harry does not know 
how to drum. 

Mrs. H. — Yes, Anna, lam glad, for if he did he would run away and 
go, for he knows I would not give him my consent to go. 

Harry — whistling — 

An. — O, there he comes now. 

Har. — (Opens door and comes in whistling.) 

Mrs. H. — Why, what has kept you so late, to-night? 

Har., aside — (I dare not tell her. If I do she wont let me out again.) 
Nothing, only I had more papers to night than usual, and you see- — 

Mrs. H.— Yes. 

Har. — It kept me out later. 

Mrs. H. — Well, how much did you make to-night, Harry? 

Har. — (Puts hands in pocket, pulls out money, throws it in his moth- 
er's lap, saying:) There it is; count it for yourself 

Mrs. H.— Oh, you are a good boy, Harry. (Goes to counr money.) 

Drums beat. 

Har. — Oh, mother ! mother ! may I go out chere and see the boys 
drum a little while. (Jumping up from chair.) 

Mrs. H. — Stops counting money, looks up and says : No, my son, 
no, that 'aint no place for you this time of night. 

Har., (aside.) — I will go when they go to bed. 

Mrs. H. — Only think, my boy, they are only learning those boys to 
drnm so they can go to war and be killed. Would you like to go with 
them and be killed too? 

Har. (with a smile) — No, mother, but then — 

.Mrs. H— Well, what? 

Har. — If I were a man like some, I would go and fight for our coun- 
try. (Aside — And I will do it if I get a chance.) 

■ Mrs. H. — Yes, but you are not a man yet ; you are nothing but a 
mere boy, only i2 years old, and you could not fight much, lam afraid. 

Har., (abide.)— Give me a chance, and I will show you ! 

Mrs. H. — What's that you say, Harry? 

Har. Oh, nothing, only I am sleepy. [Gaping.] 

Mrs. H. Weil, come, it is time we were to bed long ago. [Exit all.] 



4 

SCENE I— street: 

Boys on Street with Drums. 

Tom. Smith. I wonder if Hendershot is coming. 

Frank Shepard. Yes, 1-ie will be here if lie can get away from his 
mother. 

Willie Henderson. — Don't yoii forget but what he can. He is too 
cunning for his mother to be kept home. as he says. 

WiL. If liis mother don't let him come, he will run away and go with 
us. 

Fr. I say, boys, let us go down on the camp grounds, and when Hen- 
dershot conies he will knovv where to find us. 

WiL and Tom. All right. [Exit all.] 

Harry comes in at E First Entrance at R., with coat and hat in his 

hands. 

Har. HiUo ! this is the place I were to meet the boys, and they not 
hrre_\'et. [Looks to see if he can see any one coming.] I wonder if 
mv mother has missed me yet. f-uess not, for she haint up yet. I won- 
der what time it is; hello! there comes a man now. 1 will just ask 
him. 

Enter Smith. 

Har. Say, will you tell me what time it is ! 

Smith. — ^Vell, my boy, it is time you were home, and not be out 
here. 

Har. Thank you, sir, for your advice. [Goes.] 

Smith. — That boy is going to run away in the morning without his 
mother's consent, and I think it no more than right she should know of 
it, so I will go and tell her myself. [Exit Smith.] 

SCENE— n Hendershot's home. 



Mrs. H. come in at R C. 

Mrs. H. It is tirne for Harry to be out selling his papers. Other 
boys are out. Lwill call him. [Goes.] 

Anna come in at R. C 

An. Oh, ray ! 1 had an awful dream last night, and it makes me 
afraid; I don't know why, but it does. My mother don't believe in 
dreams, she says they make people crazy sometinies. I don't think they 
will me, any way. I am going to tell mother when she comes. Here she 
comes. 

Mrs. H. — Yes, he is gone, and so I will go and call Anna. [Mrs. H. 



starts to go.] 

An. Mother, I have got something to tell you. 

Mrs. H. — Why, are you up? 

An. Yes, mother, and 1 had a dream last night, and I want to tell 
you it. 

Mrs. H. a dream ? You know I don't believe in dreams, and yet 
why do you want to tell me them for? 

An. Well, I want you to listen to this one. [Going up beside her 
mother, she sits on a little stool.] 

Mrs. H. Well, if you want me to, why I will, so go ahead. [With a 
laugh.] 

An. I thought the war had come — 

Mrs. H. Yes, I am afraid of it. 

An. And that Harry was going away in the morning with the compa- 
ny, and a big man came here and says to you, Madame, your son is go- 
ing away with Co. C, and if you want to see him you must come now or 
he will be lost. 

Mrs. H. Oh, nonsense, Anna ! don't let such stuff bother your head 

[A knock comes to the door. Anna looks surprised and says, "What 
if my dream should be true ?"] 

Mrs. H. That is Harry now, trying to fool us. 

An. No, mother, it is the man I dreamed of. 

Mrs. H. We will see. [Goes to the door, opens it, and Smith comes 
in.] 

An., (Falling back in her chair.) At last my dream has come true. 

Mrs, H.®(Looking pale.) Come in, sir, and take a chair. 

Smith. No, madame, I have come on quick business, and unless you 
want your son to go to Vicksburg, you must come for him at once, for 
the train leaves in half an hour. 

Mrs. H. My son going to Vicksburg? Oh, sir, you must be mista- 
ken, for he is out selling his papers. 

Smith. No, madame, he has been down on the camp ground every 
day, and came there at 3 o'clock this morning, and been there ever 
since, learning to druin ; so I thought I would come and tell you, as I 
didn't think you knew. [Starts to go.] 

Mrs. IJ. Stop one moment ! Is there any one I can get to catch him 
for me? for if he knew I was after him he would run away sure. 

Smith. Yes, there is one way, and the only way. 

Mrs. H Tell me ! for God's sake ! 

Anna. Oh, my brother ! my poor brother ! he is gone, and I will 
never see him again ! 

Smith. Yes you will, if you do as I want you to. That h, get a po- 
lice to go after him and bring him home, and then you tie him up and 
whip him, and he will not run away again. *So come quick or all is lost. 

(Mrs. II. picks up bonnet, puts it on her head and goes.] 

Ann.\. I pray to God that I may see my brother again. [Goes.] 



6 

SCENE III. Street. 

Boys with Drums down by the Last House. 

F. Shep. Well, boys, this is the last morning we stay here. 
Bar. Yes, and you bet I will fight when I get — 

Police comes in at L., walks up to flarry, puts hand on his shoulder and 
says : "Come, my boy, your mother is wanting you at home." Frank 
and Tcm run away. 

FIar., (Pulling back.) No she don't, and I 'aint agoin'. 

Police. But I say yes ! [Picks Harry up. Harry kicks at police. 

Exit.) 

Scene, Hendershot House. Anna sitting at table, hand up to her head. 

Mrs. H. walking the floor. Frank Lewis, Harry's brother-in-law, sit- 
ting by a table on R. S. Police rap at door. 

Mrs. H. Come in. 

Police, (Coming in.) Here is your boy, Mrs. Hendershot. 

Mrs. H , (Goes up to Harry and takes him by the arm,) Wliat in this 
world were you going with those men and boys for ? Do you think I am 
going to let you go to war ? 

Har., (l,ooking up in his mother's face.) No, mother, but I am go- 
ing to war to help fight to set our country free, and if you don't give me 
your consent, I will run away. 

Police. Bravelv spoken, for one so young as him. (Exit.) 

F Lewis. I..et me take care of him, mother. (Rising from chair:) 

Har. What ? You fool ! 

Lewis. Yes ! (Jerks Harry from his mother.) I will show you if I 
am a fool ! (Give-; Harry four cuts with a rawhide.) Take that ! 

Har. Frank Lewis, I will run away and go to war. and that haint all ! 
When I get to be- a man I will whip you, so help me heavens ! 

Lewis You will, will you ! (Raises whip to strike Harry again.) 

Mrs. H. Stop, Frank ; that will do. (Takes Harry ) Come, we 
will see who runs away ; you or the table ! (Ties Harry to table.) 

Lewis. I will watch you, my boy, and see if you will go again ! 

Anna, (Goes up to Harry and puts her arms around his neck) You 
will be a good boy now, wont you Harry, and not go to running away 
and go off with those soldiers, wont you ? 

Har. Yes, Anna, I will, but Frank Lewis made me mad when he 
whipped me ; he didn't hurt me any ! 

Anna. Shall I go and get you a, nice warm breakfast now, Harry ? 

Har. Yes, Anna, i am very hungry! (Anna kisses him. Goes.) 

Mrs. H. I am sorry, Harry, you had to be whipped and tied up here. 
And do you know how vvi.;ked it is for little boys to deceive their moth- 
er ? 

Har., (With his head bent towards the floor.) Yes, mother, but I — 



7 

Mrs. H. What is it? ' 

Har. I didn't mean to ! 

Mrs. H. When you asked me to let you go out last night, I told you 
no ! and you went when we were all asleep, and told your mother such a 
wicked story ! Now you wont do so any more, will you ? 

Har.' No, mother, I wont, and I will be a real good boy, too ! 

Mrs. H. [With a sigh.] You don't know how bad it made Anna and 
your poor mother feel when Mr Smith came and told me my boy was go- 
ing off with the soldiers to Vicksburg, and I would never see you again ! 
Now, Harry, if 1 will let you up from there, will you promise me you will 
be a good boy, and not go near the camp ground any more ? 

Har, Yes, mother, I will promise you anything ! 

Mrs. H., f Untying him] There, now, we will see ! 

Har. If you will let me go over to the depot and see little Willie 
Henderson and the other boys off when the cars come in ! 

Mrs. H. Yes, if you will come right back as soon as the train starts. 

Har. Yes, mother, I will. [Raises upon his feet, puts arms around 
his mother's neck and kisses her, when Anna enters with tray] 

An. Here is your breakfast, Harry ! (Puts tray on table. Harry sits 
u'p to table to eat ; cars whistle) 

Har. There they are now, mother ! [Picks up hat and starts] Good 
bye, mother, I will come back again ! 

Mrs. H. Be sure, Harry, and do ! [Exit Harry.] 

An. Oh, mother! suppose they should persuade Harry to go! Why 
did you let him go ? 

A knock comes to the door. 

Mrs, H. Come in ! 

A boy comes in. 

Boy. Mrs.Hendershot come quick ! tor Harry is on the train and it 
will go in ten minutes, and you wont see him, for he is going to Vicks- 
burg ! 

An. I told you ! 1 told you ! 

Mrs. H. and Anna put shawls on their heads and go. 



r SCENE IV. Street. 

Cars whistle just as Mrs. H. comes .in. Cars whistle again. 

I 
Mrs. H. Oh ! there they go ! 

Har. [Halloes out aloud :] Good bye mother; I will write to you 
when I get to Vicksburg ! 



Mrs. H., [Wiping tears away] Good bye, Harry! pray often, and 
may the !,ord have mercy upon you ! [Falls weeping] 

Cmr tain falls. End of First Act, 



9 

ACT 11— SCENE I— Woods. 
Harry on his way to Murfreesboro. 

Har. — ;^Coi"ne in at R C entrance says,) Well, now, I want to get to 
town and mail this letter to my mother; how I would like to see her to- 
night. I don't know how I am to cross that line. (Putting hand to 
forehead says :y As I live^ there is one of those gray coats after me ; now 
he is creeping in the bashes to keep me from seeing him. Well, now, I 
will let him know that I am here, and if he wants me he'will have a good 
chance to catch me. (Pulls revolver from belt and fires; pig grunt.) 
What have I done? Ah, I see, I have killed one of old Daddy Solven's 
jjigs. (Looks surprised, says :) Well, I have commenced I might just as 
well finish it and then 1 will get the pig. ( Takes it into camp, laughed, 
ah, jolly,) Wont the old man be mad though? (Fires again, says,] he 
dont grunt this time. 

Har — 1 expect he is dead sure this time. [Gone.] 

SCENE n — Soldiers Sitting in Camp — Sam, the negro, sitting at left in 
corner, eating bread-- some playing cards. 

Har. — [Come in with pig on his shoulder ; bOys look up and laugh 
at Harry ; Harry throws pig on the floor, says,] * 

Har. — Well, boys, we will have some roast pig for our dinner. 

[Captain Smith sitting by his tent, says,] Where did }'t)u get that pig, 
fir? 

Har. — I bought it down in town. 

Capt. Whoever you bought it of was not a very good butcher. 

Har. — No, I should think not. 

Drums beat, soldiers jump up, get guns, fall in ranks. Colonel come in 
says. Attention! Captain repeats, loud, shoulder arms ! Captain repeats, 
loud. Forward, March ! Captain repeats. Harry and Tom, Willie and 
Frank drums.] [Gone.] [Colonel sits down by his tent ; old man Sol- 
ven comes in ; goes uj) to Colonel, says ,] some of yoi:r men have killed 
one of my old sowj and took some of it away and left me the other. 

Col. Dont know jinything about it, sir, but will make inquiries of 
the men. Do you know the one that done it? 

SoLVEN. Don't know, but think it was a small boy. 

Col. I will ask Captain of Co. C. Tell guard to tell Captain to 
come in. 

CoL. Captain, this man says one of your bo)*s killed one of his pigs 
this morning. 

Capt. My drummer boy brought me a piece of pork', but said he 
bought it down in town. 

Col. Go fetch him up here. [Captain goes ; comes back with 
Harry.) 

SoLVEN.^wThat is my pig, sir. He did not buy it, for I saw him when 



ro 

he was coming down and he didn't have anything in his hand so th-it was 
my ])oor sow. 

Harry goes up to Colonel. 

Col, [).) you know anyhing about this man's pig? 

IIar No sir. 

Col — Where did you get the pork you took in camp this morning? 

Har — From a man down town. (His face towards Colonel.) Have 
you a revolver ? 

Hau — [ have, sir. 

Col — Let me .see it. 

Har — ^Pull revolver Irom belt, give to Colonel) 

Ct'L. — Eximining it, ^a)S :) \Vhen did you lire it last? 

Har — This forenoon. 

Coi. — How many, times? 

Har — Five. 

Col — Tiiis gentleman says when you passed him on the road this morn- 
iiig you had nothing in )Our arms or no load of any kind, besides there 
were five pi.^tol si'Ots in his sow, so you must be the boy that killed his 
sow, so yen will have to be put in the guard-house for two days. (Point- 
ing to men he says :) Put this boy in the guard-house. (Men take Har- 
ry to guard-house. 

Captain, Solven and Colonel goes out. 

^CENE n— Street— xMail Man with Letters. 

Mail Man — (Holding out a letter. ) Here is a letter for Mrs. Mary 
Henderson, mailed Vicksburg, and one for Mrs. Hendershot. Poor 
woman, how I pity her since they took her l)oy, and that boy of hers is a 
right smart boy now while you are talking. Well, now, if I don't go they 
they wont get these letters. [Gone.] 

SCENE III — Prison — Llarry sitting on stool with head bent on his elbow 
— Negroes groan uj) stairs. 

Har — Listen to those poor niggers up stairs ; they are crying as if they 
had done something. 1 guess they are runaway slaves and been caught, 
and put in here until their master comes for them. 

Niggers groan again. 

Har — How I wish I could free them from here. (Thinks ; says I can) 
I will just ask the guard to let me sleep down in the hall here and then I 
can forte the door open. Here he comes now. 

Guard — (Comes in, goes up to Harry, says :) It is time you was in 
your room. 

Har — Please, sir, let me sleep down here, as the gray-backs are too 
numerous for mv comfort in my room (seating himselt") that I can't sleep. 
I can take a blanket and lay here on the floor. 

Guard — All right, here is your blanket. 



II 

Har — Takes blanket, lays it down by the,.„door at oenter-ef, 'entrance, 
and lays down on it., '* '- 

Guard' — None of your tricks, for I have an eye on you. [Gone.] 

Har — You just keep an eye on riie, will you. I knew I would fetch 
him. Hello ! here comes the night-watch. (Jjays down — guard comes 
through — Harry raises upon his elbow, says:) Everything is all right 
now, he wont be in for an hour. (Now gets up from his bed, Ijstens for a 
momenti goes up to the door, and with all his strength forces it open ; 
goes in and gets four slaves, comes out followed by the slaves says :) Now 
go ; don't stop for your lives until you get out of the blood-hound's 
reach. 

Old Hannah — May de Lord bless you, honey. 

Har — Tiiank you, and I guess he will, so good by. [Niggers gone.) 

Har — Closes the door, saying, I guess they wont catch them now. 
(Sinks down on his bed } 

Guard — Comes in, goes up to door, finds it unlocked, jumps back 
with surprise, says : 'I'here are spies here, and that boy is one. Goes 
up to Harry, shakes him, saying, wake up here you young scoundrel 

Har- -Who — what — 

GuvRD — What did you let those slaves out of here for? 

Har — I did not, and 1 didn't hnow there was anv slaves in here. Be- 
sidtis, do you think I would be fool enough to let them out and get shot 
for it — no sir, not I. 

Guard — Yes you did, so get up and go with me. 

HAR--(Aside, I will put him out of the way and get in with Com- 
pany B. 

Guard-- Come, get up. 

Har — Gets up and follows the guard. 

SCENE— Street. 

Guard — Comes in with Harry. 

Har Turns quick on guard — fires. 

Guard Falls dead. 

Har Another gray coat gone, (Goes out.) Two guards on duty 
come in, takes the dead one out, saying, another of our boys shot. 
[Gone.] 

SCENE IV — Rappahannock — Drums beat— come in and stand at entrance 
— Drums, Soldiers, Captain, Halt. 

Drums beat. 

Col Captain of Company B and his men must go across at the word 
of command. 

Harry is the first one in the boat. 

Capt. Cook ' Here my boy, you are too small to be in this fight, so 
you can't go, you will be killed. 

Har. 1 do not care if I am killed, I am willing to die for my coun- 
try. 



12 

CApt Bravely spoTcen ; but'. you can't go. 

Har May I push the boat out? (Getting out of boat.) 

Capt Ytrs, if that will please you. .(Captain and his men get in boat, 
he says,), all rea(1g|. 

Har ('I'hrnwing his drum over his shoulder he says:) Now is my 
time, pushes the boat out, clings to boat and crosses Rappahanock. Sol- 
diers give three cheers for Harry. Harry sees a rebel, goes up to him 
and says aloud, hair, or I wid shoot. 

Rebel I surrender. 

Har Brings him across. (Soldiers gives three cheers for the D.um- 
mer Boy of ihe Rappahanock.) 

Capt. of Co. C. Do you want some help? 

Har No, I am enough fc- him. 

C JL B av'ely sp )ke i m/ b^y. If you k .'ep oi in this wiy before many 
move years you will b- in my place. (Soldiers givi cheers fjr Har/y 
again.) 

Curtain faUs. End of Second Aci, 



13 

ACT III. — Scene i. Hospital. Harry sitting in H. P. Harry and 
another soldier sick. 

Har. (Laying on blanket on the floor.) Mother, mother ! Oh ! 
DO bring me a drink of water ! 

Another Soldier. Water ! Water ! 

Willie comes in to see Harry. Goes up to him and says :) 

WiL. How do you feel, to-day, Harry? Are you better? 

Har. Who be you ? You are a rebel ! Get out of here or I will — 
[Tries to raise. Falls back.] 

WiL., (Kneeling by Harry.) He thinks I am a rebel. Poor little 
brother ! ^how sick he is. (Takes off his cap.) See, Harry, I am Wil- 
lie, your brother, who drums with you in Co. B. See, don't you know 
me ? 

Har. (Raising up on his elbow.) Give me a drink of water ! 

• Willie gets water and gives Harry a drink. * 

Har. Oh, Willie, you are so good and kind ! Where is my mother? 
'Aint she come yet ? You will stay with me till she comes, wont you ? 

WiL. No. Harry, I can't, for I ran away to get to see you this time, 
and I must hurry back before they miss me. I will come and see you to- 
morrow. Goodbye, Harry; be a good boy. (Exit Willie.) 

Har. Oh, if mother was here she would comfort me ! 

Soldier. Water ! Water ! 

Har. Bere is some I will bring you. [Trying to raise, falls back. 
Tries it again. Catches hold of a chair and raises himself up, staggers to 
the soldier and gives him the cup.) Take this cup; there is a graycoat, 
let me shoot him ! [He is the Colonel. Harry picks up gun and rests 
it on the window.] Get in the house, you graycoat, or I will shoot you. 

Col. Shoot if you dare ! 

[Harry fires, Colonel falls with a cry.] 

Sol. What have you done, boy ? ■ 
Har. I have shot the rebel colonel. 
Sol. Oh, mercy.! mercy ! 

Rebel soldiers rush upon the hospital, set fire to it, and go in and take 
Harry and some of the others, leaving Uncle Sam in. 

Sam. Oh, God ! have mercy on me ! 

SCENE n — Street. Willie on his way to camp. 

Wil. Well, here I am on the dead line, and I don't know as I am 
going to get over without the guard's seeing me. Poor Harry, how sick 



be must be. If he w:is here he could get over all right ; he is a good boy. 
It see ns as though he were my brother ; he calls me his little brother, 
and if he shauM die how lonesome I wjuli bj. All the boys like him ; 
even our enemies do. Well, I must be off before they miss me. If they 
do miss me thev will put me in the gu.ird-hDUse, so I will venture across. 
(Exit.) 

Har. Thanii O.jd ! I am away from those devils. I wouldn't have 
got away so easy if the two had been there, but they left only one guard 
over me and he went to sleep, so 1 just |)ut one of these though his head 
to m ike him sleep harder. [Shoots revolver, and looking around, sees 
Willie.] As I see, there is Willie, and he is on the dead line ; he will 
be shot ! [Calling '-Willie, Willie !" he runs out.] 

SCENE III. Dead line. One guard stands at right siie entrance, can- 
non at centre, liick of scene, guard with gun aimed at Willie. Guard 
says "halt !"' Willie keeps on, guard fires and Willie falls. Harry 
runs up to Willie and falls on his knees, (kuird about to fire, when 

^ two niggers with guns aimed at him, say, "Surrender !"' Rebel drops 
gun by his side, and puts arm on barrel of gun. 

Har. Widie ! Willie! See, don't you kiow me? 'Tis I, your 
brother Harry. [Raises his head on his arm.] He is not dead yet. Oh, 
Willie do speak ! Give me a message for your poor mother, who will 
miss you, oh, how much ! 

WiL Yes, Harry, tell her — Idle, I die! [Puts hand on breast.] 
Oh ! it hurt me so ! 

H\< [With hill up to his f ice ] Oh, how I pity his poor mother 
when she hears of her son's death. 

WiL. Tell her I die happy, and for me she must not weep ; tell her 
how I longed to kiss her ere I sunk in death to sleep ! [Falls back 
dead.] 

Harry clasping his hands as if praying. A beautiful Tableaux. 
Curtain Falts. End of Third Act. 



ACT IV — SCENE I— Hendershot's Home. 

Mrs. H Dressed in black, white handkerchief around her neck, and 
cap on. ■ 

Anna Dressed in black with white apron on. Mrs. H. sitting by 
table, sewing. Anna on D S table. 

Anna Oh, it is so lonely since Harry went away. 

Mrs. H. Yes, Anna, and I trust he may come back ere long safe. 
(Knock at door. Mrs. H. goes to door. Mail boy gives her two letters. 
Shuts door says,) here are two letters, and thank God they are from 
your dear brother. (Goes to seat, opens letter, reads a few lines, drops 
letters on the floor and talis back faint.) 

An Why mother, what is the m.xtter, [jumping up from her chair goes 
to h<.r mother's side, says,] is Harry dead ? Oh, mother ! [Picking up 
letters. 

Mr5. H [0311123 to again, says,] read it there Anna, 'you can see to 
better than I can. 

Anna [Reads letters.] 

Kentucky, June 24* 2861. 

Mrs. Hendershot: — Your son is very sick, but not in danger. He was 
taken to the hospital this morning, and should he.get any worse I will let 
you know at once. Don't worry about him, he is in good care. 

Yours. Truly, 
Capt. Smith, of Co. B. 

Mrs. H Oh ! why did I let him go ? Oh, mercy ! 

An Don't worry so, mother Let us trust in God that he may be 
spared and come home to us safe. But see, mother, and if my eyes 
dod't deceive me it is from brother himself, [kissing envelope, opens it 
and reads as foliow :] June 25, f86i. Dear Mother and Sister: — I 
thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive, 
but I am able to iight or drum. While I was laying in the hospital sick 
I was out of my head. One day one of the soldiers asked for a drink of 
water and I got u«) and gave him some of the water that Willie brought 
me. Poor Willie, how I miss him. 

An (Looks up surprised, says ) It can't be that Willie Hendershot is 
dead. 

Mrs. H Oh, dear, what will she do ? Oh ! mercy ! 

An Wait mother, and we will see. [Reads letter] I gave it to soldier 
and as I looked out of window I saw a Rebel Colonel, and I ran for my 
gun to shoot him. I said to him, "get in the house you rebel or I will 
shoot you.'' -He said he would not go in and and dared me to shoot. You 
know I wont take a dare, so I fired and he fell dead, when the whole reg- 
iment came in on us ; took me and some others a prisoner and left the 
others there, burned the building down, and then you see I got away from 
there, and as I was going into Company B I saw VVillie on the dead line. 
I called to him but he did not hear. The guard told him to halt, but he 
did not, so 1 ran to him as the guard fired at him, but did not kill him 
then. But the last words he spoke was, "tell my mother I die happy, and 



for me she must not weep. Tell her how I wanted to kiss her before I 
sank in death to sleep." 

Mrs. H Oh ! rnercy ! How sad it is for one so . young as him to die 
way off there, and no mother to look on him. Poor Mrs, Henderson, 
how lonely she will be. 

An Yes mother, but then we can go and see her every day. Ah ! who 
is it coming so early in the morning as this, (Knock at door,] 

Mrs. H Come in Uncle Tom, (comes in, says :) Good mistress and 
Miss Anna, good morning. (Both speak) Good morning Uncle Tom. 

An (Sewing ; gets up from chair says :) Here Uncle Tom, take the 
chair and seat yourself. (Tom takes chair.) 

An (Gets stool sits down by his feet. Mrs. H. sits by table at R S, 
says :) Uncle Tom, how is ^our Mistiess this morning? 

Uncle Tom Oh, Mrs. Hendershot, poor Mistress and so am Tom so 
lonely without Master Willie, but de Lord knowed best, and I told Mis- 
ses dat Master Willie would never come back alive again. Master Willie 
was, too godd to live long. (Wiping tears away.) 

An Yes, Uncle Tom, Willie was a good li)oy, and let us trust he is 
safe in heaven. 

Uncle Tom Oh, Miss Anna, you are good like Master Willie, and I 
am afraid Miss Anna will go home ere long. Oh, mercy ! Uncle Tom 
forgot to tell you dat Misse wanted you and Miss Anna to come over this 
morning. Poor Misses is so lonely. [Rising from his chair.] 

Mrs. H. Very well. Uncle Tom, we will come. 

An Yes, Uncle Tom, wait and we will go along with you. (Goes 
gets things.) 

Tom Good Lord bless her. 

An Come Uncle Tom, we are ready now. 

Tom yes, Mis Anna. [Gone.] 

SCENE II— Street. 

Mr. Smith on his way to Mrs. Hendersons meets bov, says r 

Smith Can you tell me where Mrs. Henderson lives. 

Boy Yes, sir ; she lives where you see the large white house with 
green blinds ; up on the hill. 

Smith All right, thank you, my boy- [Gone.] 

Boy Thank you my boy. I wonder if he thinks I am his boy — if he 
does he is mightily mistaken, anyway. Wonder what he wants with Mrs. 
Henderson— marry her I guess. (Laugh.) I wonder what Willie would 
say to come home and find a step father He would make a fine father, 
he would. I will see if he goes there. Yonder he goes up the hill. 
Well, I am after him. (Gone.) 

SCENE III — Camp Ground — Soldiers in Camp — Some Playing Cards, 

Some Eating 

Har (Getting up, says:) Well, boys, I am going to start lor home 
to-dav to see mv dear mother aixi sister once more and my old home. 

One Soldier We can't get along without you", Harry. We wont have 



^7 

any one to make fun for us. 

Har Oh, yes you will. There is Jim, he will make all the fun you 
boys want ; won't you Jim? 

i Jim (The nigger sitting in corner eating bread. Looks up at Harry 
with mouth full of bread says :) tla ! 

PIar I say you will moke lots of fun for the boys when I am gone. 

Jim Yes, yes! (Soldiers laugh.) 
: Har Well, boys, 1 must be off so as to catch the train. 

Capt Wont you favor the boys with a song befo.e you go. 

Har I will ; what will it be? 

Capt "The Old Home is Lonely Without You." 

Har (Sings song — soldiers ciieer him, when he says,) ^V^ell, boys, 
good by. (Shakes hands with Captain and the boys; goes up to Jim, 
takes Jim by hand, says :) Be a good boy and make lots of fun for the 
boys. 

jiM Yes, sar, I will. 

Har ('leaking drum, says:) Good by, boys, good by. (Soldiers 
cheer, Harry gone, drums beat, soldiers get their guns and all fall in 
ranks.) 

Capt Forward, march ! (All gone but Jim. Jim looks up, sees all 
gone ; runs gets his gun, comes back for bread, makes out. [Gone.] 

Street Scene. 

(MaiV man with letter in hand comes in says :) Hello ! here is another 
letter for Mrs. Hendershot, and is in care of Mrs. M, Henderson. I won't 
have far to go with this one so I had better go now I guess. [Gone] 

SCENE IV — Henderson's Home — Mrs. Hendershot sitting by table on 
L S — Mrs. Henderson at R C — .\nna on sofa. 

To.M (Comes in says :) Misses, de mail man done give me a letter 
for you. (Gives letter to Mrs. Hendershot. Mrs. Hendershot takes letter 
savs,) Thank you Tom. Here, Anna, you may read it forme. 

An (takes letter says:) Here Uncle Tom, you set here, (giving Tom 
place on sofa.) 

An (Looking at envelope:) Oh, good, it is from dear brother, whom 
we have not heard of so long. Wait till I see what he says. (Tears open 
envelope, reads :) 

Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1S61. 

Dear Mother and Sister : — You may look for me home in two weeks 
from date. 

An [Kisses letter and says :] Oh ! good ! 

Mrs. H Thank Heaven. 

Mrs Henderson, weeping. 

An Oh, Mrs Henderson, what is the matter? 

Mrs. II Oh, if my Willie could have lived to come too. 

UnclkTom Groans. 

An If it is this letter that hurts you I will not read it here. 

Mrs. II Yes, yes. go on and read it ; it seems so good to think he is 
coming home. [Finish reading.] Apd he is going to-see Willie's mother. 



Look for us froni date. [Looks, says :] Why, that is to-day. 

Mrs H And to-day my boy will be home. 

An Yes, and he proposed coming here. 

Mrs. Hrnderson I am glad he thought of coming here. He will 
tell me all about Willie. 

Uncle Tom Miss Anna, wont you sing that song you were singing at 
home yesterday for Tom. Miss Anna, I know it was wrong in Tom, but 
Tom couldn't help it for it sound as if de angels war in dar tha*; Tom had 
to listen. 

An [With a laugh] Then it was you was it Uncle "''om, that was un- 
der my window. 

Tom Yes, Miss Anna, and if you only will — 

An Yes, Uncle Tom, I will ; but do you know what one it was? 

Tom Yes, Miss Anna, it was "Darling's Last Letter." 

An [Sing, Mrs. H, head rest on hand ; Mrs. Henderson, with head on 
on arm on table, weeping; Tom with elbow bent on knee, head on 
hands.] 

An [Singing. Kate comes to door, says:] Misses, two men down in 
de sitting room wishes to see Misses Mrs. Henderson. 

Mi!S. H Show them in. [Kate goes.] 

Kate Comes in with Harry and Shiith. [All leap up in surprise.] 

An Oh, brother ! [Puts arms around neck, kissing him.] 

Mrs. H [The same, and yays :] Thank God my boy has come home 
safe at last. 

Har [Goes up to Mrs. Henderson, says :] Oh ! Mrs. Henderson, it is 
sad 1 know. [Bothcry. Mrs. H 's head on Harry's shoulder.] 

Mrs. H Oh, you don't know how lonely I feel. You will stay with 
me now, wont you ? You would be all the comfort I would want. Say 
yes, do. Your mother and sister are welcome to my home here. 

Har Yes, Mrs. Henderson, I will stay. [Mrs. Henderson falls back in 
chair.] 

Har (Goes up to Tom, takes him by hand, saying: Poor Uncle Tom, 
how lonely he looks. I will do all I can to make comfort for him.] Uncle 
Toai, look, don't you know me? 

Tom [Looks uj), says :] Yes, Master Harry, but it makes Tom lonely 
and sad, but if Master Harry and Miss Anna comes to live here Tom 
wont be so lonely any more. 

Har Well, Tom, it shall beat your request. 
Anna and Uncle Tom stand by sofa — Harry and his mother in center — 
Mrs. Henderson and Smith stand at L C of them. 

Har [With drum on table, point at it, says :] Mother, you were afraid 
to let me go to war, sol ran away and went, and thank God I came out all 
safe. But I had some pretty close calls, but got over them, and can now 
bear the name of Master Harry Hendershot, the brave Drummer Boy ot 
the Rappahanock. 

Cmvtaiit faiis. End of FQurth Act. 



